Ammunition feed mechanism



9, 1961 H. o. KEMPTON 2,997,923

AMMUNITION FEED MECHANISM Filed Nov. 28, 1947 5 Sheets-She et 1 IN V EN TOR.

HOWARD O. KEMPTON BY @m/u m ATTORNEY Aug. 29, 1961 H. o. KEMPTON AMMUNITION FEED MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 28, 1947 N m w P w 1 m w W I W K I}! N 0 71 l I I I I II J D R a m w m o H o W||||| 4 FT 8 4 3 FIG. 2

ATTORNEY 1961 H. o. KEMPTON 2,997,923

AMMUNITION FEED MECHANISM Filed Nov. 28, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

HOWARD O. KEMPTONI BY QLm/MW ATTORNEY Aug. 29, 1961 H. o. KEMPTON AMMUNITION FEED MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 28, 1947 FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

HOWARD 0. KEMPTON ATTORNEY 2,997,923 Patented Aug. 29, 1961 United States Patent OfiFice ware Filed Nov. 28, 1947, Ser. No. 788,385 20 Claims. (CI. 89-33) The present invention relates to an improved automatlc ammunition feed mechanism especially adapted for enabling rapid fire of relatively heavy rounds of ammumtlon.

The feeding for rapid fire of heavy types of ammunitron, such as the feeding of rockets from a magazine to a launching tube, imposes large acceleration forces on the feed mechanism. The magnitude of these forces is such that the weight of conventional types of automatic feed mechanism used with machine guns, light cannon and the like, is very high in relation to the weight of a round of ammunition. The weight is so high as to preclude the use of these types of feed mechanisms in connection with rapid fire rocket launchers to be carried by airplanes and other relatively light vehicles.

The present invention provides for rapid feed by accelerating each round to a high velocity as it moves from the magazine and then decelerating it to a stop as it comes into firing position. Two loaders are provided for conveying the rounds from the magazine to firing position, one loader being in motion while the other is dwelling in the firing position. This not only permits faster feeding of rounds but has the further advantage that only one round at a time is subjected to acceleration and deceleration forces by the loaders, thereby minimizing the necessary weight of the mechanism.

The invention further contemplates an ammunition magazine comprising a relatively slow moving conveyor system which in the case of continuous fire may move at constant speed, in bringing successive rounds into the position in which they are transferred to the loaders, as distinguished from the intermittent and varying speed motion of the loaders in carrying the rounds into firing position.

In the preferred form of the invention, intended especially for launching rockets, the two loaders rotate about a common axis and are provided with doors which are automatically opened to receive rockets from the moving conveyor and closed to carry the rockets into firing position. The moving conveyor is preferably of the endless type, and drive means are provided which correlate its motion with the motions of the loaders. The circular path of the loaders is tangential to that of the conveyor at the point at which the loaders receive rounds from the conveyor. Each loader as it approaches and departs from this point of tangency moves at the same speed as the conveyor, and thereafter accelerates and then decelerates to a stop for a period of dwell in the firing position sulficient to enable the rocket that is being fired to clear the loader and firing tube. After this dwell the loader again accelerates to high speed and then decelerates to the constant speed at which it approaches the position in which it receives another round from the conveyor.

The invention provides a drive mechanism including mechanical means for efiecting the aforementioned motions of the conveyor and loaders, and also a clutching means whereby the conveyor system may be operated independently of the loaders to enable loading of ammunition into the mechanism. Electrical means are provided for operating the mechanism for either intermittent or continuous fire, to facilitate loading it with ammunition, and also to provide necessary protection. For example means are included for reversing the direction of the drive to move a loader from a ready position, in

which a round may be fired upon closing of a trigger switch, to a safe position in which firing is impossible. Means are also provided to stop operation of the mechanism in case a round fails to fire within the usual time period, and to enable the operator thereafter to jettison a dud round.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the typical embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is perspective view of the mechanism as a whole with the casing thereof and certain other parts broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view through the mechanism, as viewed in looking toward the front thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective sectional view through the motor and gear box, showing the gearing train for driving one loader;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary plan sectional view showing a clutch and certain cam operated mechanisms within the gear box;

FIGURE 5 is a more detailed sectional View through one of the cam operated mechanisms shown in FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the front rocket carriages of the conveyor system;

FIGURE 7 is a wiring diagram of the system;

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relationship of the several gear elements. in their respective operating phases;

FIGURE 9 is a diagram showing the relationship of certain of the gear elements shown in FIGURE 8; and,

FIGURE 10 is a diagram showing the operating cycle of the loaders.

The device includes a support \11 comprising a casing which supports a pair of longitudinally spaced oval tracks 12, a rocket firing tube 13, and a motor and gear box 14. Also mounted on the support 11 are sprocket wheels 15 which carry a conveyor chain 16 within the oval of each track. Carried by each of the chains are a plurality of rocket carriages 17. Each carriage has an outer roller 18 engaging the adjacent track 12 and inner rollers 19 for engaging auxiliary tracks 21 which are also mounted on the support 11. Longitudinally slidable on each forward carriage 17 is a holder 22, which, as is shown in FIGURES 1 and 6, supportingly engages the nose of a rocket 2. Similar holders 23 on each rear carriage 17 each supportingly engages the tail of a rocket, the holders being slotted as appears in FIGURE 1 to embrace the rocket fins 24. The structure described constitutes a magazine and conveyor system which may support the desired number of rounds 2 in readiness for delivery to loaders which will convey them, one by one, into a firing or launching tube.

The holders are retracted or urged away from engaged relation with the rounds by springs 25, best shown in FIGURE 6, but throughout most of the travel of carriages 17 are prevented from such movement by the end plates 26 of support 11 which engage projections 27 of the holders. Depressed cam formations 28 in the plates 26 allow the springs 25 to retract the holders to release the rounds from the conveyor system at the point where they are to be delivered to the loaders.

The conveyor chains '16 mesh with sprockets 29 on a conveyor drive shaft 30 which is driven by sprocket 31 and drive chain 32. The drive chain meshes with a drive sprocket (not shown) on shaft 33 in the motor and gear box 14, this shaft being driven at reduced speed by electric motor 34.

Parallel to shaft 30 are concentric loader shafts 35 and 36 carrying on their respective arms 37, fixed parts 41 of tubular loaders which are indicated generally by numerals 3 38 and 39. Each loader is an articulated structure capable of closing for embracing a rocket and of opening to release it. To this end each loader in addition to its fixed inner part" 41-comprises hinged doors 42 and 43 which preferably are urged toward their open positions by spring means. (not shown). Rollers 44 on doors 42 are engageable with cams 45 that are carried by the support 1-1,-for the purpose of holding these doors closed as the loaders move between the position in which around is received from the conveyor system, this being approximately'the position in which loader 39 appears in FIG- URE 2, and'the firing position in which the round is aligned with firing tube 13, this being the position of the loader 38 shown in FIGURE 2. The inner doors 43 are slidingly pivoted at 46 to slotted links 47 which in turn are pivoted at 48 to arms 37. The links 47 carry rollers. 50 which ride ina cam track 51 that is mounted at the end of support 11. 'The loaders 38 and 39 are shown in FIGURE 2 in firing and reloading position, respectively, in order to illustrate their respective relationships to other parts of the mechanism when in these positions. However they will not be in these two positions at the same time in normal operation of the mechanism. For a more accurate indication of their relative positions, reference is made to FIGURE 10:

As each loader rotates (counterclockwise in FIGURE 2, clockwise in FIGURE 1), spring force will swing its door 42 to its open'limit position as soon as its roller 44 leaves cam 45. At the same time its roller 50 will be moved, by following cam 51 to swing lever 47 (counterclockwise in FIGURE 2) about its pivot 48, to svw'ng door43 to open position. If a round remains in the loader, it will ordinarily be jettisoned upon such opening of the doors 42 and 43. In any event the doors will remain open until the loader approaches the position in which loader 39 appears in FIGURE 2, when the track 45 and cam track 51 will cooperate with the rollers 44 and 50, respectively, to close the doors. During such closing motion of the loader, it will embrace a round which has been carried into delivery position by the conveyor system at the same time that the round is released from the conveyor system by retraction of cups 22 and 23.

The loader shafts 3 5 and 36 are driven by motor 34 through the medium of gearing in such manner that while one loader, say 38, is dwelling in the firing position for a suflicient time to enable the rocket with which it is loaded to clear the launching tube 13, the other loader will be in the process of reloading. Substantially duplicate trains of gearing, one for each of loader shafts 35 and 36 are provided in gear box. For simplification of this disclosure only one train, that for driving gear 49 that is afiixed to shaft 36, is shown, while the substantially duplicate gearing train, for driving the gear 52 that is affixed to-shaft 35, is not shown, it being in the portion of the'gear box which has been cut away in FIGURE 3.

The gear mechanism shown in FIGURE 3 is illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURE 8. This illustration, together with the gear diagram FIGURE 9 and the cycle diagram of FIGURE 10, will aid in understanding the operation of the gear arrangement shown in FIGURE 3. As shown in FIGURE 10, A represents the point where the loader begin-s its constant speed loading or reloading phase which extends to point C. The actual point at which'the loader receives a round from the conveyor system is designated B. From point C to point D, the firing position, the loader first accelerates and then decelerates to a stop, dwelling at D for a time interval sufficient to enable the rocket to clear the tube 13 after being fired. From D to point A the loader rapidly accelerates to a maximum velocity and then decelerates, so that at point A it is traveling at the velocity which it will maintain from A to C. Point E represents the position of one loader when the other loader has'just arrived at, point D,

4 and point F its position when the other loader is ready to depart from point D.

The angles of movement and times shown on FIGURE 10 for the several phases of the operating cycle have been chosen for one particular rocket launcher, and they are included in the drawings only by way of illustrating the principles involved. In this cycle shown, designed to launch one rocket every 240 milliseconds, the cycle of each loader consumes 480 milliseconds, of which 8 1 milliseconds is required totravel 56 from A to C, 100 milliseconds dwell in position D, 109 milliseconds for 70 travel from C to D, and 190 milliseconds, for 234 travel from D to A.

The gearing for shaft 36includes, tour gear sectors 53, 54, 55 and 56 affixed upon shaft 30, and four respectively meshing gear'sectors 57, 58, 59 and 61 carried by a shaft 62. The latter is mounted coaxially with a shaft 63 to which it may be coupled for rotation by a clutch consisting of clutch elements 64 and 65 which are shown in (H5611: gaged relation in FIGURE 4. Clutch element 65 splined for axial movement in shait 62 is normally operable either to engaged position or to disengaged position by level 66. Shaft 63, which rotates in a counter clockwise direction as. it is seen in FIGURE 3, carries a gear sector 67 adapted to mesh periodically with a pinion 68 aifixed'to a counter shaft 69, the pinion simultaneously meshing with another gear sector 71'that is carried by a shaft 72 which has a drive gear 73 constantly in mesh wit gear 49 on loader shaft 36. The gearing train, including sectors, 53 and 57, and gear elements 67, 68, and 71 serveto'drive the loader 39 during the A to C phase in which it is being'reloaded.

For driving the loader between loading position and firing position, that is from C to D, element 74 with drive pin 75 is mounted on shaft 63, the pin engag ng Within element 76 mounted on counter shaft 69. Element "7.6 has a gear sector 77 formeshing with a sector 78 on shaft 72. These elements 75, 76, 77 and 78 are brought into operation at the same time gear sectors '54 and 58 are engaged.

For holding the loaderstationary during the period of dwell in position D sectors 79 and 80 on counter-shaft-v-63 engage complementary recesses in stops 81 and 82. on counter-shaft 69. Elements 79 and 81 cooperate to pre-. vent forward motion (clockwise in FIGURE 3) of counter-shafit 69 during the period of dwell, while elements 80 and 82 cooperate to prevent regression of the countershaft during this period.

The loader is driven from launching position D to reloading position A by an element 83 on counter-shaft 63 provided with a pin 84 engaging within a slotted element 85 mounted on counter-shaft 69. Element 85 has a gear sector 86 that meshes with a sector 87 on shaft 72.

It will be seen that elements 74, 75, 76 and elements 83, 84, 85 constitute Geneva motion mechanism which provide for rapid acceleration and then rapid deceleration during the C to D phase and also during the D to A phase. It will be noted that as pin 75 leaves the slot in element 76 its path is tangential to the slot, so that the motion of the loader is stopped. Conversely the 'pin 83 as it enters the slot in element 85 is moving in a path tangential thereto, because at this moment the loader and countershaft 69 are stopped. However at the moment pin 75 must engage slotted member 76 :to commence the C totD phase, and at the moment pin 84 must disengage element 85 to enter the constant speed A to C phase, the countershaft 69 is in motion. To enable this action thecam means shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 are provided to project pin 75 from a retracted position axially into the slot of member 76 at the point shown in FIGURE 8, and to re-. tract pin 84 axially from the slot in member 85 at the posi; tion indicated at 84' in FIGURE 8.

These cam means for projecting and retractingthe pin 84shown FIGURE 8 include a spring 88 (FIGUREQ) f r in t n e u y trw ns hep na s s. permitted by th stati nary ng, can; 91 wh ch is, en ag d by the follower roller 89 carried by the pin. The means for retracting and projecting the pin 75 are similar except that the spring instantaneously projects instead of retracts the pin as soon as the cam 92 permits such movement of the pins cam follower 93. Pin 84 can project, and pin 75 retract, relatively slowly, this motion being provided by the sloping faces of the ring cams.

The electrical system for operating the mechanism is shown in FIGURE 7. It includes a battery 94, master switch 95 and a manually operated safe-ready switch 96 with fixed contacts 97 and 98 which are respectively closed to condition the mechanism for firing upon closing of a trigger switch 99 or for placing it in a safe condition. The firing of a round is efiected by passage of battery current via contacts 100 through a firing ring 101 on the rocket. Contacts 100 close upon the ring 101 of an unfired rocket whenever the latter, in either loader, is in firing position D. The details of these contacts and of the firing ring form no part of the present invention and hence are not illustrated except in the wiring diagram.

The motor 34 has windings 102 which are energized for forward operation and windings 103 which are energized for reverse operation. In the motor control system is a jettison relay 104, whose back contacts 105 are closed only when the relay is energized and whose front contacts 106 are closed otherwise. Also in the motor control circuit is a contact of a relay 107, this contact being closed only when the relay is deenergized.

The electrical system also includes several switches disposed in switch compartment 108 of box 14 and operated by suitable cam elements driven by the motor in phase correlation with the loaders. These cam operated switches include a switch 109 with movable contacts 110, 111 and 112, and switches 113, 114, 115. Switch 109 is in the position shown, i.e. with contact 111 and 112 open and contact 110 closed against its left hand fixed contact when neither loader is in firing position D. When either loader is in filing position the switch 109 is in its opposite position with contacts 111 and 112 closed. Switch 113 is normally open and is closed only when a loader is in the position of the dwell in firing position D just prior to leaving D, at which time the other loader is in a position between A and B. Switch 114 closes contact 116 only when the loaders are in a safe position which is also an indexing position employed in loading the mechanism with rockets. In this position, wherein one loader is between C and D in FIGURE and the other loader in advance of E, neither loader is in the path of rockets carried by the conveyor system. Switch 115 opens when either loader is in dud rocket ejection position G, otherwise is always closed. Switches 109 and 114 are of the snap action type so that they will always occupy one or the other of their operated positions, preventing the mechanism from stopping with their movable contacts midway between their extreme positions.

Another automatic switch arrangement includes a relay 117 whose back contacts 118 are closed, to cause relay 104 to be energized, when and only when either loader containing a round is anywhere between position D and jettison position G. Relay 117 is controlled by a branch circuit including, in parallel, push button type switches 119 and 12 1, one on each of loaders 38 and 39. Each of these switches is open whenever its loader is empty and closed whenever its loader contains a round. The branch circuit includes in series with switch 119 a commutator ring 122 and a slip ring 123 mounted on loader shaft 34 and stationary brushes 124 in contact with the rings. Similarly the branch circuit includes in series with switch 121 a commutator ring 125 and slip ring 126 mounted on loader shaft 35, the rings being contacted by stationary brushes 127. With this arrangement relay 117 is energized when loader38 is anywhere in or between positions D and G and contains a round, and it is also energized whenever loader 39 is in or between position D and G and is loaded.

The electrical system also contains a switch 128 which is operated by handle 66, being opened whenever clutch 64, 65 is disengaged and closed whenever the clutch is engaged. The system further contains a manually operable normally open jettison switch 129, a manually operable normally open loading switch 131, and two indicator lamps 133 and 134. Lamp 133 is red and indicates that the mechanism is in ready condition, while lamp 134 is green and shows that the mechanism is in safe position.

To load the conveyor system the master switch is closed and the safe-ready switch 96 is moved to safe position closing contact 98. If the loaders are already in the safe position so that switch 114 is closed against contact 116 the green lamp 134 will light and the motor 34 will remain inoperative because the circuit from the battery 94 will be open at clutch switch 128 and loading switch 131. If the loaders are not in safe position switch 114 will be closed against contact 120, establishing a circuit through reverse windings 103 so that the motor will operate in reverse direction until the mechanism is moved to the safe position at which time the circuit will be broken by switch 114 moving to contact 116. Both loaders are now spaced from the path of the conveyor system.

The operator next moves clutch lever 66 to disengage clutches 64, 65 and to simultaneously close switch 128. Rockets now may be loaded in the carriages 17 when in position B wherein their holders 22 and 23 are re tracted by the action of springs 25 and cam formations 28. The carriages may be brought to this position B successively by operating the motor forwardly, this being accomplished by manually closing the switch 131 for as long as necessary. When the conveyor system has been filled the clutches 64, 65 are engaged which automatically opens switch 128. The formation of the clutch elements is preferably such that they can be engaged only in positions wherein the conveyor is in proper phase relation to the loaders. To aid the operator in moving the conveyor into this position suitable indexing marks may be provided on the conveyor and on the fixed structure 11.

The mechanism is now in safe condition and fully loaded except that there is no round in the loader which will first come into firing position D. If desired this loader may be loaded without operation of trigger switch 99 by the following procedure: The dud jettison switch 129 is held closed establishing a circuit from the battery and through switch 115 to the forward windings 102 of the motor, causing an operation of the mechanism which will continue until switch 115 opens automatically when the first loader reaches dud ejection position G. At this time the second loader will have passed beyond position B, there picking up a round from the conveyor. Manual movement of the safe-ready switch against contact 97, will now cause forward operation to bring the second loader into firing position, the electrical circuit being through switch 110, front contacts 106 of relay 104, the contact of relay 107 and windings 102. This circuit is opened automatically by movement of arm 110 of switch 109 when the loader reaches firing position. The operator may then repeat the procedure described in the preceding two paragraphs to place an additional round in the conveyor system. The device will now be completely loaded.

The mechanism is made ready to fire by moving the safe-ready switch against contact 97. This, as described in the preceding paragraph, will cause the loader to be moved from safe position into firing position D. Thereupon the switch 109 will be moved automatically to the right, completing a circuit through switch contact 110 and red lamp 123 and closing switch contact 112. Firing of the round in position D may now be accomplished by closing trigger switch 99, establishing a circuit from the battery through switch contact 112, contacts and firing ring 101. If the trigger switch is immediately opened the mechanism will stop until it is again closed or until 7 the jettison switch 129 is closed to move the loader out of position D. However if the trigger switch isheld depressed in the normal manner for a fraction of a secend after it is closed i.e. until the loader leaves position D, causing switch 109 to operate, and the trigger switch is then released, the mechanism will continue to operate automatically until the other loadermoves into position D. The motor operating circuit for this phase of the operation is established-through switch arm 110, the front contact 106 of relay 104 and the contact of relay 107. This circuit is broken at 110 only when the filled loader enters position D. If the trigger switch is not opened after one rocket is fired but is held closed the launcher will repeat the operations above described without stopping until all rounds in the system have been fired.

I An exception to the aforementioned operations occurs if a round fails to fire upon closing of the trigger switch and remains in the loader, holding its switch 119 or 121 closed. In such case the relay 117 will remain energized closing contacts 118 from the time the dud round enters position D until it is ejected from its loader or until the latter reaches position G. Accordingly when switch 113 closes just prior to the time when the loader would normally leave position D, a circuit is' established from the battery through relay 107, switches 113 and contacts 118 to ground, causing the motor circuit to be broken at the now open contact of relay 107, stopping the mechanism in this position.

The operator, after a reasonable time delay to avoid the possibility of delayed fire of the dud round, may jettison it by closing switch 129. This will immediately energize windings 102 to operate the loader to jettison position G, the circuit for windings 102 being via switches 129 and 115. Relay 104 will be energized via a branch circuit through contacts 118 with the result that the normal motor operating circuit through front contacts 106 will be disrupted and another motor operating circuit established from the battery "ia back contacts 105 and switch 115 to the motor windings 102. Also a holding circuit for relay 104 is established via back contacts 105, the relay 104 and contacts 118- to ground, this holding circuit being broken only when switch 117 opens as a result of the dud round being jettisoned. If the dud is not jettisoned when or before position G is reached switch 115 will open, rendering the mechanism incapable of further operation until the dud is removed.

. It will be understood that the mechanism including both the electrical and mechanical components thereof may be modified in various ways and used in various relationships with other components, all of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Mechanism of the class described comprising an endless conveyor having holders spaced therealong for releasably supporting rounds of ammunition; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the conveyor at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing'station, the paths of the loaders being substantially coincident with the path of the conveyor at said receiving station; drive means for operating the conveyor at substantially constant speed and for rotating said loaders at varying speeds; said drive means including means for moving each loader substantially at the same speed as the conveyor as the loader approaches and departs from said receiving station, means for accelerating the motion of the loader from said substantially constant speed and then decelerating it to a.

dwell in said firing posit-ion, means for holding the loader in said dwell for a predetermined portion of its operating cycle, and means'for accelerating the loader in its motion following-the dwell and then decelerating it to said substantially constant speed as it approaches said 3 f receiving station; said' drive means being arranged to maintain the loaders in substantiallyopposite phase re lation in their operating cycles; the loaders being pro- \nided' withdoors adapted to open and close to respectively receive the rounds and retain them in the loaders; cam means for operating the holders for releasing rounds from the conveyor as they reach said receiving station; and cam means providing for opening of the loader door as the loaders approach a jettison station in advance of the receiving station and for closing said doors as the loaders pass from said receiving station; means for firing a roundin the firing position during the initial portion of said dwell; means for discontinuing normal operation of the drive means in the presence of a round in a loader in the firing position at the terminal portion of saiddwel'l; manually operated means for continuing operation of the drive means subsequent to such discontinuance for advanoing the loader to said jettison position; and means responsive to the presence of a round in a loader in said jettison position for preventing further operation of the drive means. 7 r

2. Mechanism of the class described comprising an endless conveyor having holders spaced therealong for reliasably supporting rounds of "ammunition; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds from the conveyor at a receiving station [and carrying them to a firing station, the paths of the loaders being substantially tangent to the path of the conveyor at said receiving station; drive means for operating the conveyor at substantially constant speed and for rotating said loadersat' varying speeds; said drive means including means for moving each loader substantially at the same speed as the conveyor as the loader approaches and departs from said receiving station, means for accelerating the motion of the loader from said substantially constant speed and then decelerating it to a dwell in said firing position, means for holding the loader in said dwell for a predetermined portion of its operating cycle, and means for accelerating the loader in its motion following the dwell and then decelerating it to said substantially constant speed as it approaches said receiving station; said drive means being arranged to maintain the loaders in substantially opposite phase relation in their operating cycles; the loaders being provided with doors adapted'to open and close'to respectively receive the rounds and retain them in the leaders; cam means for operating the holders for releasing rounds from the conveyor as they reach said re ceiving station; and cam means providing for opening of the loader doors as the loaders approach a position in advance of the receiving station and for closing said'doors as the loaders pass from said receiving station.

3. Mechanism of the class described comprising a conveyor having holders spaced therealong for releasably supporting rounds of ammunition; a rotatable loader for receiving rounds one at a time from the conveyor at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station, the path of the loader beingsubstantially tangent to the path of the conveyor at said receiving station; drive means for operating the conveyor at substantially constant speed and for rotating the loader at varying speeds; said drive means including means for moving the loader substantially at the same speed as the conveyor as the loader approaches and departs from said receiving station, means for accelerating the motion of the loader from said sub stantially constant speed and then decelerating it to a dwell in said firing position, means for holding the loader in said dwell for a predetermined portion of its oper ating cycle, and means for accelerating the loader in its motion following the dwell and then decelerating it to said substantially constant speed as it approaches-said receiving station; the loader being provided with door means.

operating the holders for releasing rounds from the coir veyor as they reach said receiving station; and cam means providing for opening of the loader door means as the loader approaches a jettison position in advance of the receiving station and for closing said door means as the loader passes from said receiving station.

4. Mechanism of the class described comprising a magazine; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the delivery station of the magazine and carrying them to a firing station; drive means for rotating said loaders at varying speeds; said drive means including means for moving each loader substantially constant speed as the loader approaches and departs from said delivery station, means for accelerating the motion of the loader from said substantially constant speed and then decelerating it to a dwell in said firing position, means for holding the loader in said dwell for a predetermined portion of its operating cycle, and means for accelerating the loader in its motion following the dwell and then decelerating it to said substantially constant speed as it approaches said delivery station; and said drive means being arranged to maintain the loaders in substantially opposite phase relation in their operating cycles.

5. Mechanism of the class described comprising a magagine; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the delivery station of the magazine and carrying them to a firing station; drive means including means for rotating said loaders at varying speeds; said drive means moving each loader at substantially con stant speed as the loader approaches and departs from said delivery station, accelerating the motion of the loader from said substantially constant speed and then decelerating it to a dwell in said firing position, holding the loader in said firing position for a predetermined portion of its operating cycle, and accelerating the loader in its motion following the dwell and then decelerating it to said substantially constant speed as it approaches said delivery station; and said drive means being arranged to maintain the loaders in substantially opposite phase relation in their operating cycles.

6. Mechanism of the class described comprising an endless conveyor having holders spaced therealong for releasably supporting rounds of ammunition; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the conveyor at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station, the path of the loaders being substantially tangent to the path of the conveyor a said receiving station; drive means for operating the conveyor at substantially constant speed and for rotating the loaders at varying speeds; said drive means including means for moving the loaders substantially in the same speed as the conveyor as the loaders approach and depart from said receiving station, accelerating the motion of the loaders from said substantially constant speed and then decelerating to a dwell in said firing position, holding the loaders in said dwell for a predetermined portion of their operating cycle, and accelerating the loaders in their motion following the dwell and then decelerating to said substantially constant speed as they approach said receiving station; the loaders being provided with door means adapted to open and to close respectively to receive the rounds and retain them in the loaders; means for operating the holders for releasing round from the conveyor as they reach said receiving station; and means providing for opening of the loader door means as the loaders approach a position in advance of the receiving station and for closing said door means as the loaders pass from said receiving station.

7. Mechanism of the class described comprising a con veyor releasably supporting a number of rounds of ammunition; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the conveyor at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station, the path of the loaders being substantially tangent to the path of the conveyor at said receiving station; drive means for operating the conveyor at substantially constant speed and for rotating the loaders at varying speeds; said drive means including means for moving each loader substantially at the same speed as the conveyor as the loader approaches and departs from said receiving station, accelerating the motion of the loader from said substantially constant speed and then decelerating it to a dwell in said firing position, holding the loader in said dwell for a predetermined portion of its operating cycle, and accelerating the loader in its motion following the dwell and then decelerating it to said substantially constant speed as it approaches said receiving station.

8. Mechanism of the class described comprising an ammunition magazine; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the magazine at a receiving station and carrying them one at a time to a firing station; drive means for rotating each loader at varying speeds, accelerating the motion of the loader after it passes said receiving station and then decelerating it to a dwell in said firing position, and accelerating the loader in its motion following the dwell and then decelerating it as it approaches said receiving station; and said drive means being arranged to maintain the loaders in substantially opposite phase relation in their operating cycles.

9. Mechanism of the class described comprising an endless conveyor for releasably supporting a plurality of rounds of ammunition; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the conveyor at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station, the path of the loaders being substantially tangent to the path of the conveyor at said receiving station; drive means for operating the conveyor at substantially constant speed and for rotating the loaders at varying speeds, said drive means including means for moving the loader substantially at the same speed as the conveyor as the loader approaches and departs from said receiving station, accelerating the motion of each loader from said substantially constant speed and then decelerating it to a dwell in said firing position, and accelerating each loader in its motion following the dwell and then decelerating it to said substantially constant speed as it approaches said receiving station.

10. Rocket feeding and firing mechanism of the class described comprising a conveyor for releasably supporting a plurality of rounds of ammunition; a rotatable loader for receiving rounds one at a time from the conveyor at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station, the path of the loader being substantially tangent to the path of the conveyor at said receiving station; drive means for operating the conveyor at substantially constant speed and for rotating the loader at varying speeds, said drive means including means for moving the loader substantially at the same speed as the conveyor as the loader approaches and departs from said receiving station, means for accelerating the motion of the loader from said substantially constant speed and then decelerating it to a dwell in said firing position, means to fire the ammunition round in said firing position, and means for accelerating the loader in its motion following the firing position dwell and then decelerating it to said substantially constant speed as it approaches said receiving sta tion.

11. Mechanism of the class described comprising an endless conveyor having holders spaced therealong for releasably supporting rounds of ammunition; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the conveyor at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station; drive means for operating the conveyor and the loaders; the loaders being provided with door means adapted to open and to close respectively to receive the rounds and retain them in the loaders; cam means for operating the holders for releasing rounds from the conveyor as they reach said receiving station; and cam means providing for opening of the loader door means as the loaders approach a position in advance of the receiving station and for closing said door means as the loaders pass from said receiving station.

' 12. Mechanism of the class described comprising an endless conveyor having holders spaced thereal'ong for releasably supporting rounds of ammunition; a rotatable loader for receiving rounds one at a time from the con veyo'r at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station; drive means for operating the conveyor and the loader; the loader being provided with door means adaptedto open and to close respectively to receive the rounds and retain them in the loader; means for operating the holders for releasing roundsfrom the conveyor as they reach said receiving station; and means providing for opening of the loader door means as the loader approaches a position in advance of the receiving station and for closing said door means as the loader passes from saidreceiving station.

13-. Mechanism of the class described comprising an ammunition magazine; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the magazine at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station; drive means for rotating the loaders; each loader having door means adapted to open and to close respectively to receive a round and to retain it in the loader; and cam means providing for opening of the loader door means as the loader approaches a position in advance of the receiving station and for closing said door means as the loader passes from said receiving station.

14; Mechanism of the class described comprising a conveyor having holders spaced therealong for releasably supporting rounds of ammunition; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the'm agazine at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station; drive means for the conveyor and the loaders; each loader being provided with door means adapted to open and to close respectively to receive the roundsand retain'them" in the loader; means providing for operation of theholders to release each round from the conveyor as it reaches said receiving station; and means providing for opening of the loader door means as each loader approaches a position in advance of the receiving station and for closing said door means as the loader passes from said receiving station.

15. Mechanism of the class described comprising an ammunition magazine; a rotatable loader for receiving rounds one at a time from the magazine at a receiving station and carrying them to a'firin'g station; drive means for rotating the loader; the loader having door means adapted to open and to close respectivelyto receive a round and to retain it in the loader; and means'for opening of the loader doors means in advance of the receiving station and for closing said door means 'as the loader passesfrom said receiving station.

1'6. Mechanism of the class described comprising an endless conveyor having holders spaced therealong for releasably; supporting rounds of ammounition; a pair of rotatable loaders for receiving rounds in sequence from the conveyor at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station, the paths of the loaders being substantially coincident with the path of the conveyor at said receiving station; drive means for operating the conveyor at substantially constant speed and for operating said loaders at varyingspeeds; said drive means including means for moving'each'loader substantially at the same as the conveyor as the loader approaches and departs-from saidreceiving'station, means for accelerating the motion of the loader from said. substantially constant speed and then decelerating it to a dwell in said firing position, means for holdingithe loader in said dwell for a predetermined'portionof its operating cycle, and means for accelerating the loaderinits motion from following the'dwella'and then decelerating: it to said substantially constant speed as it: approaches said receiving station; said drive' -r n'eans' being arranged to maintain the loaders in' sub's'tantially opposite phase relation in their operating cycles; means for firing a round in the] firing position during the initial portion" of said dwell; means for dis= continuing normal operation of the drive means in'the presence of a round in a loader in the firing position atathe' terminal portion. of said dwell; manually'operated means" for continuing operation of the drive means subsequent to such discontinuance for advancing the loader toa jetti son position in advance of the receiving station; and means responsive to the presence of a round in a loader in said jettison position for preventing further operation of the drive means.

17. Mechanism of the class described comprising an ammunition magazine; a pair of rotatable loaders for alternately receiving rounds one at a time from the magazine at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station; drive means for rotating said loaders at'varying speeds to cause each loader to dwell in said firing position for a predetermined portion of its operating'cycle, said drive means being arranged to maintain theloaders in substantially opposite phase relation in their operating 7 cycles; means for firing a round in the firing position during the initial portion of said dwell; means for discontinuing normal operation 'of the drive means in the'pres ence of a round in a loader in the firing position at the terminal portion of said dwell; manually operated means for continuing operation of the drive means subsequent to such discontinuance for advancing the loader to a jettison position in advance of the receiving station; and means responsive to the presence of a round in a loader in said jettison position for preventing further operation of the drive means.

18. Mechanism of the class described comprising an ammunition magazine; a rotatable leader for receiving rounds one at a time from the magazine at a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station; drive means for rotating said loader at varying speeds to cause it to a dwell in said firing position for a predetermined portion 7 round in said loader in said jettison'posi'tion for preventing further operation of the drive means. 7

1'9. Mechanism of the class described comprising an ammunition magazine; a rotatable loader for receiving rounds one at a time from the magazine at-a receiving station and carrying them to a firing station; drive means for rotating said loader at varying speeds to cause it to a dwell in said firing position for a predetermined portion of its operating cycle; means for firing a round in the firing position during the initial portion of said dwell; and means for discontinuing normal operation of the drive means in the presence of a round in said load'er in the firingposition at the terminal portion of said dwell.

20. Mechanism of theclassdescribed' comprisingfan ammunition magazine; a rotatable loader for receiving; rounds one at a time from the magazine at a receiving station and carrying them to afiring station; drive means for rotating said loader at varying speeds to cause it to dwell in said firing position for a predetermined portion of its operating cycle; means for firing a round the firing position during the initial portion of said dwell; means for jettisoning an unfir'ed round from'the loader in the firing position after unsuccessful operation of said firing means and prior to the startof return or the loader to the receivingstation; and means responsive to the presence ofa round in the loader subsequent to operation of the jettisoning means for stopping normal operation of said drive means.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 704,955 Brankston July 15, 1902 1,602,568 Conlon Oct. 12, 1926 2,382,522 Trotter Aug. 14, 1945 

